JP4376825B2 - Door latch control device - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, the engagement operation for closing the door by bringing the striker and the latch into meshing state by the normal rotation driving of the actuator and the meshing state of the striker and latch by the normal driving of the actuator are also released. It is related with the door latch control apparatus which performs the cancellation | release operation | movement which makes a door openable.

  Some door latch devices applied to recent automobiles have a function of automatically closing a door while allowing the door to be automatically opened. In this type of door latch device, an actuator is provided in the latch mechanism. The actuator includes an electric motor, and a rotating body fixed to the output shaft rotates in one direction. The circular motion caused by the rotation of the rotating body is converted into the swing motion of the drive cam via the link. The drive cam is rotatably supported by a common support shaft coaxially with the latch. Then, the latch is rotated to the full latch position when the drive cam swings in one direction from the neutral position in the state of the half latch position of the latch. Further, when the drive cam swings in the other direction from the neutral position in the state of the full latch position, the ratchet is pushed away to release the latch (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3232251

  By the way, in the door latch device as described above, when the open door command is issued during the operation of rotating the latch from the half latch position to the full latch position, the latch is set to the full latch position and then the one direction of the rotating body. If the latch is released by continuing the rotation to the position, it may take extra time until the door can be opened.

  Further, in the door latch device as described above, when the door is not opened for some reason when the door is opened, if the latch is in the half latch position, the latch is moved to the full latch position. The door is automatically closed by rotating the door. As a result, there arises a problem that the door is closed despite the attempt to open the door.

  In view of the above situation, the present invention is a door latch control device that performs a meshing operation and a releasing operation of a striker and a latch by forward rotation of an actuator, and when an open door command is issued during the meshing operation, the striker and the latch Releases the meshing state without extra time, and further prevents the door from being closed even if the door does not open for some reason when trying to make the door openable. An object of the present invention is to provide a door latch control device that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the door latch control device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a meshing operation for closing the door by bringing the striker and the latch into meshing state by forward rotation of the actuator, Similarly, in a door latch control device that releases the meshing state of the striker and the latch by the normal rotation drive of the actuator and releases the door so that the door can be opened, an open door command is issued during the meshing operation and the actuator is driven in reverse rotation. When releasing the meshing state between the striker and the latch, the drive of the actuator should be stopped when the door does not reach the open state after a lapse of a predetermined time even though the meshing state is released after shifting to the release operation. Features.

  The door latch control device according to the present invention receives an open door command during the meshing operation, and reversely drives the actuator to release the meshing state between the striker and the latch, so that the meshing state can be quickly achieved without taking extra time. Release and allow the door to open. Further, in this case, the actuator is stopped when the door does not reach the open state after a predetermined time has passed although the engagement state has been released and the engagement state has been released. As a result, since the drive of the actuator is stopped, the door is not automatically closed, so that it is possible to prevent a situation where the door is closed despite the attempt to open the door. .

  Exemplary embodiments of a door latch control device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  1 to 3 show a door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the door latch device 1 exemplified here applies to a door (hereinafter referred to as “trunk lid D”) for opening and closing an opening of a trunk room TR provided in the vehicle body B, and the trunk lid D Is held in a closed state. In the present embodiment, a sedan type four-wheeled vehicle in which the striker S is fixedly disposed on the vehicle body B and the door latch device 1 is provided on the trunk lid D is illustrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the door latch device 1 is configured by providing a base plate (device body) 10 with a latch mechanism 100 and an actuator drive mechanism 200. The base plate 10 serves as a reference when the door latch device 1 is attached to the trunk lid D. The base plate 10 has a striker receiving groove 11 at a portion corresponding to the striker S of the vehicle body B, specifically, at the lower end of the base plate 10. Yes. The striker accommodation groove 11 is a cutout extending upward from the lower end of the base plate 10, and a position and a size at which the striker S can be accommodated when the trunk lid D is closed with respect to the vehicle body B. It is formed.

  The latch mechanism 100 is for holding the striker S in mesh when the trunk lid D is closed with respect to the vehicle body B, and the ratchet shaft 101 and the latch are located on the left and right sides of the striker receiving groove 11. A shaft 102 is provided. The ratchet shaft 101 is for pivotally supporting the ratchet 110 with respect to the base plate 10, and is provided in the vicinity of the opening end of the striker housing groove 11. The latch shaft 102 is provided to rotatably dispose the latch 120 with respect to the base plate 10, and is provided in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the striker housing groove 11.

  The ratchet 110 of the latch mechanism unit 100 extends from the ratchet shaft 101 toward the inner side end of the striker receiving groove 11, and includes a latch locking part 111 and a ratchet operation part 112.

  The latch locking portion 111 is a convex portion projecting from the side surface of the ratchet 110 toward the striker housing groove 11 in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the striker housing groove 11.

  The ratchet operation portion 112 is a portion that further extends beyond the back end of the striker housing groove 11 and has a bent edge portion 113. The bent edge portion 113 is a portion bent at a substantially right angle in a direction away from the base plate 10, and is provided on the outer edge portion of the ratchet operation portion 112. Further, the ratchet operation unit 112 has a switch lever 114. The switch lever 114 is provided on the outer edge of the ratchet operation unit 112 and on the side opposite to the bent edge 113.

  The latch 120 of the latch mechanism unit 100 includes an engagement groove 121, a hook portion 122, a first engagement portion 123, a second engagement portion 124, and a latch operation portion 125.

  The engagement groove 121 is a notch formed from the outer peripheral surface of the latch 120 toward the direction close to the latch shaft 102, and has a width that can accommodate the striker S. The engagement groove 121 is configured to sequentially cross from the opening end of the striker housing groove 11 toward the back end when the latch 120 is rotated counterclockwise around the latch shaft 102 in FIG. It is.

  The hook portion 122 is a portion located on the opening end side of the striker housing groove 11 when the meshing groove 121 intersects the striker housing groove 11.

  The first engagement portion 123 and the second engagement portion 124 are configured to restrict the clockwise rotation of the latch 120 in FIG. 1 when abutting against the latch locking portion 111 of the ratchet 110, respectively. The first engaging portion 123 is configured such that the hook portion 122 of the latch 120 is positioned at the opening end portion of the striker receiving groove 11 when the first engaging portion 123 comes into contact with the latch locking portion 111. The second engagement portion 124 is configured such that the hook portion 122 of the latch 120 is positioned at the back end portion of the striker housing groove 11 when contacting the latch locking portion 111. Even when the latch locking portion 111 is in contact with either the first engaging portion 123 or the second engaging portion 124, the hook portion 122 passes through the striker housing groove 11 with respect to the striker housing groove 11. It protrudes to a position where it can be prevented.

  The latch operation portion 125 is a portion extending from a portion close to the latch shaft 102 in a manner corresponding to the ratchet operation portion 112 of the ratchet 110. The latch operation portion 125 is provided with a return spring 103 that urges both in the direction of approaching each other with the ratchet operation portion 112.

  Reference numeral 130 in FIG. 1 denotes an open lever for operating the ratchet 110 via individual wires W1 and W2 when operating a key cylinder or emergency lever (not shown). The open lever 130 is swingably disposed on the base plate 10 via an open lever shaft 131. The open lever 130 is urged clockwise in FIG. 1 by urging means (not shown) such as a spring provided between the open lever 130 and the base plate 10. The open lever 130 includes a ratchet operation unit 132, a cancel lever operation unit 133, and a stopper unit 134. The ratchet operation unit 132 comes into contact with the bent edge 113 of the ratchet operation unit 112 in the ratchet 110 as the open lever 130 swings counterclockwise in FIG. The cancel lever operation unit 133 comes into contact with a cancel operation lever 234 in a cancel lever 230 described later as the open lever 130 swings counterclockwise in FIG. The stopper part 134 controls the swinging of the open lever 130 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 by contacting the base plate 10 side. Note that the swing stroke of the open lever 130 when the ratchet operation portion 132 abuts on the bent edge portion 113 and the swing stroke of the open lever 130 when the cancel lever operation portion 133 abuts the cancel action lever 234 are: The ratchet operation unit 132 is set to contact first, and then the cancel lever operation unit 133 is set to contact.

  On the other hand, the actuator driving mechanism 200 of the door latch device 1 is for operating the ratchet 110 and the latch 120 by driving the actuator 201 and includes an output lever 210 and a cam driving gear 220.

  The output lever 210 is provided with a lever shaft 211 at the base end, and can be swung around the axis of the lever shaft 211 by accommodating the lever shaft 211 in the slide groove 12 of the base plate 10, and the slide groove 12. It is possible to slide the lever shaft 211 along The slide groove 12 is formed at the upper edge of the base plate 10 and is formed in an arc shape that protrudes outward from the base plate 10.

  A lever spring 212 and a cancel lever 230 are provided between the base end portion of the output lever 210 and the base plate 10. The lever spring 212 is interposed between the base end portion of the output lever 210 and the base plate 10 and urges the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 to be always disposed at the right end portion (effective operating position) of the slide groove 12. To do.

  The cancel lever 230 is a plate-like member having a curved shape along the slide groove 12 of the base plate 10, and is disposed so as to be swingable to the base plate 10 via a cancel shaft 231 provided near the right end of the slide groove 12. It is set up. A cancel spring (elastic means) 232 is provided between the cancel lever 230 and the base plate 10. The cancel spring 232 biases the curved inner surface of the cancel lever 230 so as to press the peripheral surface of the lever shaft 211. The cancel spring 232 has a spring constant sufficiently larger than the lever spring 212 described above. The cancel lever 230 has a cancel action lever 234. The cancel operation lever 234 is provided integrally with the cancel lever 230 and extends to the side opposite to the cancel lever 230 via the cancel shaft 231. As described above, the cancel lever operating portion 133 comes into contact with the cancel lever 234 as the open lever 130 swings counterclockwise in FIG.

  As is apparent from the drawing, a support protrusion 233 is formed at a portion corresponding to the right end of the slide groove 12 on the curved inner surface of the cancel lever 230. When the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 is located at the right end of the slide groove 12, the support protrusion 233 abuts on the left peripheral surface thereof, and restricts the sliding movement of the lever shaft 211 to the left. is there.

  In addition, the output lever 210 is provided with a release lever portion 213 and a latch pin 214 at a tip portion located between the ratchet operation portion 112 and the latch operation portion 125. The release lever portion 213 is a lever-like portion provided in a manner facing the bent edge portion 113 of the ratchet operation portion 112 from the tip portion of the output lever 210, and the output lever 210 swings around the axis of the lever shaft 211. In this case, the ratchet 110 can be pressed through the bent edge portion 113 and the ratchet operation portion 112. The latch pin 214 is a columnar portion protruding from the tip of the output lever 210, and when the output lever 210 swings around the axis of the lever shaft 211, the latch 120 is pressed through the latch operation portion 125. Is possible.

  The cam drive gear 220 is rotatably disposed at a portion of the base plate 10 corresponding to the intermediate portion of the output lever 210, and rotates appropriately through the gear train 240 when the actuator 201 is driven. In the embodiment, when the actuator 201 is driven forward, it rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, while when the actuator 201 is driven reversely, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The cam drive gear 220 is provided with a cam pin 221 on an end surface facing the output lever 210. The cam pin 221 protrudes from the end surface of the cam drive gear 220 and is linked to a cam groove 215 formed in the intermediate portion of the output lever 210. The cam groove 215 is configured to cause the ratchet 110 and the latch 120 to perform operations described later via the release lever portion 213 and the latch pin 214 when the cam drive gear 220 rotates.

  Although not shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, an electric motor provided with a worm gear on the output shaft is applied as the actuator 201, while a gear train 240 is provided with a worm wheel meshing with the worm gear. Has been applied.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a door latch control device which is a control system of the door latch device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the door latch control device includes a door latch control unit 300 for comprehensively controlling the door latch device 1 according to data and programs stored in advance. The door latch control unit 300 is connected to the ratchet switch 104, the latch switch 105, the door opening / closing switch 106, the gear switch 250, the time measuring unit 301, and the actuator 201 described above.

  The ratchet switch 104 is provided on the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and is brought into an OFF state or an ON state by abutting or separating from the switch lever 114 of the ratchet operation unit 112 that moves as the ratchet 110 swings. It will be. Specifically, the ratchet switch 104 is configured such that the switch lever 114 is separated when the latch locking portion 111 of the ratchet 110 is not in contact with either the first engagement portion 123 or the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120. Turns on. On the other hand, the ratchet switch 104 is turned off when the latch lever 111 is in contact with either the first engagement portion 123 or the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the latch switch 105 is a rotary switch that is provided on the base plate 10 and detects a change in the rotational position of the latch 120 around the latch shaft 102. For example, the latch switch 105 includes a rotation position of the latch 120 in a state where the first engaging portion 123 and the second engaging portion 124 of the latch 120 are not in contact with the latch engaging portion 111 of the ratchet 110 (unlatched state), The rotational position of the latch 120 when the first engaging portion 123 of the latch 120 is in contact with the latch engaging portion 111 of the ratchet 110 (half latch state (first meshing state)), the second engaging portion of the latch 120 The rotational position of the latch 120 is detected in a state where 124 is in contact with the latch locking portion 111 of the ratchet 110 (full latch state (second meshing state)). The latch switch 105 also functions as a courtesy switch because it detects each state (unlatched state, half-latch state, full-latch state) of the ratchet 110 and the latch 120.

  The door opening / closing switch 106 is provided on the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and the door opening / closing switch lever 107 supported so as to be swingable with respect to the base plate 10 is brought into contact with or separated from the base plate 10 to be turned on or off. It will be. The door opening / closing switch lever 107 is supported so as to be swingable around the ratchet shaft 101 in such a manner as to always straddle the opening of the striker receiving groove 11. The door opening / closing switch lever 107 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by urging means (not shown) such as a spring provided between the door opening / closing switch lever 107 and the base plate 10. The door opening / closing switch lever 107 is pushed by the striker S when the striker S enters the striker receiving groove 11 and swings clockwise in FIG. The door opening / closing switch lever 107 turns on the door opening / closing switch 106 before the striker S enters the striker receiving groove 11 (see FIGS. 6 and 12). On the other hand, the door opening / closing switch lever 107 turns off the door opening / closing switch 106 after the striker S enters the striker receiving groove 11 (see FIGS. 7 to 11).

  The gear switch 250 is a rotary switch that is provided on the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and detects a change in the position of the cam pin 221 accompanying the rotation of the cam drive gear 220. For example, the gear switch 250 detects the position of the cam pin 221 where the release lever portion 213 and the latch pin 214 of the output lever 210 are separated from the ratchet operation portion 112 and the latch operation portion 125, respectively. In this case, the gear switch 250 detects that the cam pin 221 is in the open door neutral position (see FIG. 6) by the transition from the OFF state to the ON state, while the cam pin 221 is closed by the transition from the ON state to the OFF state. It detects that it is in a door neutral position (refer to Drawing 10).

  The time measuring means 301 measures a predetermined time according to the detection by the switch. For example, when the actuator 201 is driven forward to bring the trunk lid D into the open state, the time measuring unit 301 measures the predetermined time T1 when the ratchet switch 104 shifts from the OFF state to the ON state. When the actuator 201 is driven in the reverse direction to bring the trunk lid D into the open state while the actuator 201 is driven in the reverse direction while the actuator 201 is driven in the forward direction to close the trunk lid D, the time measuring means 301 is in the ON state. The predetermined time T2 is measured when the state shifts from OFF to OFF.

  6 to 12 are conceptual diagrams sequentially showing the operation of the door latch device 1. Hereinafter, an operation when the actuator 201 is driven will be described with reference to these drawings, and a characteristic part of the door latch device 1 will be described in detail.

  In the door latch device 1, when the trunk lid D is in the opened state, as shown in FIG. 6, the latch 120 is in the most clockwise position and the first engagement portion 123 of the latch 120 and the ratchet 110 is in a state before the latch locking portion 111 faces (unlatched state). At this time, the engagement groove 121 provided in the latch 120 is disposed in a state where the opening end portion thereof is open to the opening end portion of the striker receiving groove 11 provided in the base plate 10 and is inclined with respect to the striker receiving groove 11. It is in. In the output lever 210, the lever shaft 211 is disposed at the right end portion of the slide groove 12, and the release lever portion 213 and the latch pin 214 provided at the tip portion are separated from the ratchet operation portion 112 and the latch operation portion 125, respectively. It is arranged at the open door neutral position (open door completion state).

  In the open door completion state, the ratchet switch 104 is in the ON state, the latch switch 105 detects the unlatched state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the ON state, and the gear switch 250 is in the ON state.

  When the trunk lid D is closed from the open door completion state shown in FIG. 6, the striker S provided on the vehicle body B enters the striker receiving groove 11 of the base plate 10 and further enters the engagement groove 121 of the latch 120. Become. When the striker S sequentially enters the rear end along the striker receiving groove 11 by the closing operation of the trunk lid D, the latch 120 in a state where the engagement groove 121 is inclined with respect to the striker receiving groove 11 is pushed to the striker S. Then, it rotates clockwise around the axis of the latch shaft 102.

  During this time, the side surface of the ratchet 110 is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the latch 120 due to the elastic force of the return spring 103, and the latch locking portion 111 eventually falls into contact with the first engagement portion 123 of the latch 120. Is held in the state.

  When the latch engaging portion 111 of the ratchet 110 is in contact with the first engaging portion 123 of the latch 120, the latch of the latch 120 is resisted against the elastic restoring force of the return spring 103 as shown in FIG. The clockwise rotation around the shaft 102 is restricted, and the hook portion 122 of the latch 120 is engaged with the striker S, thereby preventing the striker S from deviating from the striker receiving groove 11. As a result, the door latch device 1 and the striker S are not in a state in which the trunk lid D is completely closed with respect to the vehicle body B, but in a half latch state (first meshing state) in which movement in the opening direction is restricted. Become.

  In the half latch state (first meshing state), the ratchet switch 104 is in the OFF state, the latch switch 105 detects the half latch state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the OFF state, and the gear switch 250 is ON. Is in a state.

  When the half-latch state shown in FIG. 7 is detected by the ratchet switch 104, the latch switch 105, and the door opening / closing switch 106, the actuator 201 of the door latch device 1 is driven to rotate forward, whereby the cam drive gear 220 rotates clockwise. Due to the action of the cam pin 221 and the cam groove 215, the output lever 210 starts to swing clockwise about the axis of the lever shaft 211 (effective operation). As a result, the latch pin 214 of the output lever 210 presses the latch operation portion 125 of the latch 120, so that the latch 120 rotates counterclockwise about the latch shaft 102. In this case, although the latch engaging portion 111 of the ratchet 110 is in contact with the first engaging portion 123 of the latch 120, the latch engaging portion 111 does not hinder the counterclockwise rotation of the latch 120. .

  When the latch 120 rotates counterclockwise from the half-latch state, the latch locking portion 111 is held in a state where the latch engagement portion 111 falls and contacts the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120. In a state where the latch locking portion 111 of the ratchet 110 is in contact with the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120, the latch of the latch 120 is resisted against the elastic restoring force of the return spring 103 as shown in FIG. The clockwise rotation around the shaft 102 is restricted, and the hook portion 122 of the latch 120 is engaged with the striker S, thereby preventing the striker S from deviating from the striker receiving groove 11. Moreover, during the period from the state shown in FIG. 7 to the state shown in FIG. 8, the latch 120 operates so as to draw the striker S into the back end of the striker receiving groove 11. As a result, the door latch device 1 and the striker S are in a fully latched state (second meshing state) in which the trunk lid D is completely closed with respect to the vehicle body B and movement in the opening direction is restricted.

  When the transition from the half latch state to the full latch state occurs, the ratchet switch 104 is once turned on before the latch locking portion 111 comes into contact with the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120, and the latch 120 The ratchet switch 104 is turned off when the latch locking portion 111 falls and contacts the two engaging portions 124. In the full latch state (second meshing state), the ratchet switch 104 is in the OFF state, the latch switch 105 detects the full latch state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the OFF state, and the gear switch 250 is ON. Is in a state.

  After the full latch state shown in FIG. 8 is reached, in the door latch device 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the output lever 210 is further swung in the same direction to ratchet the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120. The state shifts to a latch-side overstroke state for reliably bringing the latch latching portion 111 of 110 into contact. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, from the latch-side overstroke state, the closed door neutral position in which the release lever portion 213 and the latch pin 214 provided at the tip of the output lever 210 are separated from the ratchet operation portion 112 and the latch operation portion 125, respectively. In the state of returning to the normal rotation, the forward drive of the actuator 201 is stopped (closed door completion state).

  In the closed door completion state, the ratchet switch 104 is in the OFF state, the latch switch 105 detects the full latch state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the OFF state, and the gear switch 250 is in the OFF state.

  On the other hand, in the closed door completion state shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the driver turns on the trunk open switch in the passenger compartment (open door command), the actuator 201 of the door latch device 1 is driven to rotate forward, thereby driving the cam drive gear 220. Rotates clockwise, and the output lever 210 starts to swing counterclockwise about the axis of the lever shaft 211. When the output lever 210 swings counterclockwise, the release lever portion 213 of the output lever 210 presses the ratchet operating portion 112 of the ratchet 110, so that the ratchet 110 resists the elastic force of the return spring 103 and the ratchet shaft 101. As shown in FIG. 11, the contact state between the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 is released. As a result, since the latch 120 rotates clockwise around the latch shaft 102 by the elastic restoring force of the return spring 103, the striker S deviates from the striker receiving groove 11 of the base plate 10 and the trunk lid D can be opened and moved. It becomes possible.

  At this time, the ratchet switch 104 is in the ON state, the latch switch 105 detects the unlatched state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the ON state, and the gear switch 250 is in the OFF state.

  After the state shown in FIG. 11 is reached, in the door latch device 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the output lever 210 further swings in the same direction, and the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120 and the latch of the ratchet 110 are latched. A transition is made to a release-side overstroke state for reliably releasing the contact state with the locking portion 111. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, from the release-side overstroke state, the open lever neutral position in which the release lever portion 213 and the latch pin 214 provided at the tip of the output lever 210 are separated from the ratchet operation portion 112 and the latch operation portion 125, respectively. In the state of returning to the normal rotation, the forward drive of the actuator 201 is stopped (open door completion state).

  Thereafter, the above-described operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 are repeated, and the opening / closing of the trunk lid D with respect to the vehicle body B can be controlled. Although not shown in the figure, the trunk lid D is provided with an automatic opening / closing device. The automatic opening / closing device closes the trunk lid D until the door latch device 1 reaches the half latched state (first meshing state) when the trunk lid D is closed, while the door latch device 1 opens the trunk lid D when the trunk lid D is opened. The trunk lid D is opened when the open door completion state is reached.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the ratchet 110 and the latch 120 accompanying the rotation of the cam drive gear 220 in the series of operations shown in FIGS. A series of operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 will be schematically described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when the half-latch state is detected by the ratchet switch 104 and the latch switch 105 at the completion of the opening of the door (step A: see FIG. 6), the actuator 201 is driven to rotate forward to rotate the cam drive gear 220 clockwise. Rotate around. Then, the latch pin 214 engages with the latch operation portion 125 (process B: see FIG. 7 to process E). Between the process B to the process E, the latch 120 rotates counterclockwise around the latch shaft 102 and passes through the latch side overstroke (process D: refer to FIG. 9) from the full latch (process C: refer to FIG. 8). The full latch state is detected by the ratchet switch 104 and the latch switch 105. Then, when the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state, the closed door completion (step F: see FIG. 10) is detected, and the forward drive of the actuator 201 is stopped. That is, the operation from the completion of the open door (step A) to the completion of the closed door (step F) is performed when the striker S and the latch 120 are in the half latch state (first meshing state). This is a meshing operation in which the trunk lid D is closed by shifting the striker S and the latch 120 to the fully latched state (second meshing state).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when there is an open door command upon completion of closing the door (step F: refer to FIG. 10), the actuator 201 is driven to rotate forward to rotate the cam drive gear 220 clockwise. Then, the release lever portion 213 engages with the ratchet operation portion 112 (step G: see FIG. 11 to step K). Between Step G and Step K, the ratchet 110 swings clockwise about the ratchet shaft 101, and the engagement portions 123 and 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 are separated from each other, so that the contact state is established. It is released to reach an unlatched state (process H to process J). Further, between the process H and the process J, a release-side overstroke (process I: see FIG. 12) is performed. The unlatched state is detected by the ratchet switch 104 and the latch switch 105. Then, when the gear switch 250 shifts from the OFF state to the ON state and the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned ON, the completion of the opening of the door (step A: see FIG. 6) is detected, and the forward drive of the actuator 201 is stopped. To do. That is, in the operation from the closed door completion (process F) to the open door completion (process A), the meshing state of the striker S and the latch 120 is released by the normal rotation driving of the actuator 201 and the trunk lid D can be opened. Release operation.

  By the way, in connection with a series of operations of the door latch device 1 described above, when the meshing operation from the completion of the opening door (step A) to the completion of the closing door (step F) is performed, for example, the driver turns on the trunk open switch in the passenger compartment. (Open door command), the door latch control device performs the release operation as follows. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the releasing operation from the meshing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 14, during the meshing operation (step S11), if there is an open door command (step S12), and if the open door command is before reaching the full latch state (step S13: No), the actuator 201 Are driven in reverse (step S14). If the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state and reaches the unlatched state by the detection of the ratchet switch 104 and the latch switch 105 (step S15: Yes), the actuator 201 is driven to rotate forward (step S16). . Then, when the gear switch 250 shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (step S17: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S18).

  On the other hand, if the open door command has reached the full latch state (step S13: Yes), the actuator 201 remains in the normal rotation drive (step S19). If the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state and reaches the unlatched state by detection of the ratchet switch 104 and the latch switch 105 (step S20: Yes), the gear switch 250 shifts from the OFF state to the ON state. At that time (step S17: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S18).

  Thus, the door latch control device drives the actuator 201 in the reverse direction when there is an open door command before reaching the full latch state (second meshing state) when the meshing operation is being performed by the forward rotation driving of the actuator 201. The meshing state between the striker S and the latch 120 is released. On the other hand, when an opening door command is issued after reaching the fully latched state (second meshing state) while the meshing operation is being performed by the normal rotation drive of the actuator 201, the actuator 201 is normally rotated and the striker S and the latch are latched. The meshing state with 120 is released. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when there is an open door command during the meshing operation from the completion of the open door (step A) to the completion of the close door (step F), the full latch state (step C) is used as a reference point. Actuator 201 is driven forward and backward in a manner leading to a near unlatched state. As a result, when there is an open door command from the meshing operation, it is possible to release the meshing state earlier without taking extra time and to enter the unlatched state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the full latch state (second engagement state) is used as a reference point. However, this reference point may be set as a predetermined engagement state other than the full latch state. In this case, for example, the latch switch 105 or the gear switch 250 is set to detect a predetermined meshing state.

  When the key cylinder and emergency lever (not shown) are operated in the fully latched state shown in FIG. 10, the open lever 130 is rotated counterclockwise via the wires W1 and W2 as shown in FIG. The ratchet operation part 132 abuts on the bent edge 113 of the ratchet operation part 112 in the ratchet 110 by swinging, so that the ratchet 110 rotates clockwise around the ratchet shaft 101 against the elastic force of the return spring 103. Will swing. As a result, the contact state between the engagement portions 123 and 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 is released, and the trunk lid D can be opened.

  However, in this case, since the trunk lid D is opened without driving the actuator 201, the cam drive gear 220 does not rotate and the cam pin 221 remains in the fully latched position. For this reason, the trunk lid D cannot be automatically closed after the trunk cylinder D is opened by operating a key cylinder or an emergency lever (not shown).

  Therefore, in the door latch control device, when the trunk lid D is opened by operating the open lever 130, the following operation is performed. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation when the opening operation is performed by the open lever.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on in the closed door completion state (step S21: Yes), the door latch device 1 is in the open door completion state (that is, the ratchet switch 104 is in the on state, latched). If the switch 105 detects the unlatched state of the latch 120 and the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the ON state and the gear switch 250 is in the ON state) (step S22: No), the actuator 201 is driven forward (step S23). Then, when the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state (step S24: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S25).

  As described above, when the engagement state between the striker S and the latch 120 is released without driving the actuator 201, the door latch control device moves the actuator 201 to the release driving position (open door neutral position). Transition. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the closing of the door is completed (step F), when the engagement state between the striker S and the latch 120 is released without driving the actuator 201 and the trunk lid D is opened (the door opening / closing switch 106). If the actuator 201 is rotated forward, the door latch device 1 is opened by setting the position of the cam pin 221 provided on the cam drive gear 220 to the open door neutral position through Step G to Step K. The door is completed (step A). As a result, thereafter, the trunk lid D can be automatically closed by driving the actuator 201.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the open lever 130 is operated and the trunk lid D is opened in the closed door completion state is described, but this is not restrictive. That is, even when the open lever 130 is operated in a state other than the closed door completion state, if the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on and is not in the open door completion state, by driving the actuator 201 in a normal direction, The door latch device 1 is brought into the open door completion state.

  By the way, when it is attempted to open the trunk lid D by releasing the meshed state of the striker S and the latch 120 by the forward rotation of the actuator 201, the trunk lid D may not be opened due to, for example, snow, luggage, or hands. is there. In this case, when the half latch state is detected, the trunk lid D is automatically closed, so that the trunk lid D is closed despite the attempt to open the trunk lid D.

  Therefore, in the door latch control device, when the trunk lid D is opened by releasing the meshing state of the striker S and the latch 120 by forward driving of the actuator 201 and the trunk lid D is not opened for some reason. The following operations are performed. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation when the trunk lid is not opened even when the meshing state is released.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the release operation (step S31), when the ratchet switch 104 is turned on (step S32: Yes), the timing of the predetermined time T1 is started (step S33). Thereafter, the door opening / closing switch 106 is not turned on (step S34: No), and when the predetermined time T1 has passed (step S35: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S36).

  When the trunk lid D is opened by hand after stopping the driving of the actuator 201, the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on (step S37: Yes), and after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S38: Yes), the actuator 201 is driven to rotate forward (step S39), and the open door is completed (step S40: Yes). Thereafter, an automatic opening / closing device (not shown) takes over to open the trunk lid D. Further, when the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on to drive the automatic opening / closing device, the timing of the predetermined time T1 is canceled.

  As described above, the door latch control device stops the driving of the actuator 201 when the trunk lid D does not reach the open state after the elapse of the predetermined time T1 even though the meshing state is released by performing the releasing operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, in the release operation (step F to step A), the engaging portions 123 and 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 are separated (step H to step J), and the ratchet switch 104. Starts to measure the predetermined time T1, and after the predetermined time T1, the door opening / closing switch 106 is not turned on, and the actuator 201 is driven when the trunk lid D does not reach the open state. Stop. As a result, since the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped, the trunk lid D is not automatically closed even if the half latch state is detected. Regardless of this, it becomes possible to prevent the situation of being closed.

  By the way, the release operation is a release operation by the forward rotation drive of the actuator 201. As shown in FIG. 14, when the engagement operation is being performed by the forward drive of the actuator 201, the full latch state (second engagement state) is reached. When there is a command to open the door before, there is also a release operation by driving the actuator 201 in the reverse direction. In the door latch control device, when the release operation is performed by the reverse drive of the actuator 201, if the trunk lid D is not opened for some reason, the following operation is performed. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation when the trunk lid is not opened even if the meshing state is released by the reverse drive of the actuator 201.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the release operation by the reverse drive of the actuator 201 (step S41 (see steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 14)), the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state (step S42: Yes), timing of the predetermined time T2 is started (step S43). Thereafter, the door opening / closing switch 106 is not turned on (step S44: No), and when the predetermined time T2 has elapsed (step S45: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S46).

  When the trunk lid D is opened by hand after stopping the driving of the actuator 201, the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on (step S47: Yes), and after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S48: Yes), the actuator 201 is driven to rotate forward (step S49), and the open door is completed (step S50: Yes). Thereafter, an automatic opening / closing device (not shown) takes over to open the trunk lid D. Further, when the door opening / closing switch 106 is turned on to drive the automatic opening / closing device, the timing of the predetermined time T2 is canceled.

  Thus, when the door latch control device receives an open door command during the meshing operation and drives the actuator 201 in the reverse direction to release the meshing state, the door latch control device shifts to the releasing operation and releases the meshing state. When the trunk lid D does not reach the open state after the elapse of time T2, the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, there is an open door command during the meshing operation from the completion of the open door (step A) to the completion of the close door (step F), and the actuator 201 is reversed with the full latch state (step C) as a reference point. To drive. When the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state (step F), the predetermined time T2 starts to be measured. After the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the door opening / closing switch 106 is not turned ON, and the trunk lid D is opened. When the state is not reached, the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped. As a result, since the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped, the trunk lid D is not automatically closed even if the half latch state is detected. Regardless of this, it becomes possible to prevent the situation of being closed.

  By the way, from the unlatched state shown in FIG. 6, the trunk lid D can be closed by hand or the like regardless of the automatic opening / closing device (not shown).

  However, in this case, since the half latch state is passed and the full latch state is reached and the trunk lid D is closed without driving the actuator 201, the cam drive gear 220 is not rotated and the cam pin 221 is in the unlatched position. Will remain. For this reason, when the actuator 201 is subsequently driven to automatically open the trunk lid D, it takes time from the full latch state in the unlatched state to the unlatched state to reach the open state.

  Therefore, in the door latch control device, when the trunk lid D is closed without driving the actuator 201, the following operation is performed. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation when the closing operation is performed without driving the actuator.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the gear switch 250 is in the ON state and another switch is in the closed door state in the open door completion state (step S51: Yes), that is, the ratchet switch 104 is in the OFF state, the latch When the switch 105 detects the fully latched state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the OFF state, and the gear switch 250 remains in the ON state, the actuator 201 is driven forward (step S52). Then, when the gear switch 250 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state (step S53: Yes), the driving of the actuator 201 is stopped (step S54).

  As described above, when the engagement state of the striker S and the latch 120 is performed without driving the actuator 201, the door latch device 1 described above moves the actuator 201 to the engagement position drive position (closed door neutral position). Transition. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the opening door is completed (step A), the striker S and the latch 120 are engaged without driving the actuator 201 and the trunk lid D is closed (the ratchet switch 104 is In the OFF state, the latch switch 105 detects the fully latched state of the latch 120, the door opening / closing switch 106 is in the OFF state, and the gear switch 250 is in the ON state). Then, the position of the cam pin 221 provided on the cam drive gear 220 is set to the closed door neutral position, and the door latch device 1 is brought into the closed door completion state (step F). As a result, when the trunk lid D is automatically opened by driving the actuator 201 thereafter, it can be opened without taking time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the trunk lid D is closed without driving the actuator 201 in the open door completion state is described, but this is not restrictive. That is, even when the trunk lid D is closed without driving the actuator 201 except in the open door completion state, the ratchet switch 104 is in the OFF state, and the latch switch 105 detects the full latch state of the latch 120. When the opening / closing switch 106 is turned off and the gear switch 250 is turned on, the door latch device 1 is brought into a closed door completion state by driving the actuator 201 to rotate forward.

  By the way, in the door latch device 1 described above, for example, when a foreign object is sandwiched between the vehicle main body B and the trunk lid D, it is difficult to shift the latch 120 from the half latch state to the full latch state, and the latch 120 is in an immobile state. Become. In this case, in the door latch device 1 of the present embodiment, when the cam drive gear 220 rotates clockwise after the latch 120 is in a non-moving state, the intermediate portion of the latch 120 is pressed to the left in the drawing. Eventually, the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 climbs over the support protrusion 233 against the elastic force of the cancel spring 232 and the lever spring 212, and as shown in FIG. The slide groove 12 slides toward the left end (retracting operation). As a result, even when the latch 120 becomes immobile, all of the gear train 240, the cam drive gear 220, and the output lever 210 that transmit power from the actuator 201 to the latch 120 operate. There is no risk of damage.

  The lever shaft 211 slidably moved in the slide groove 12 is then returned to the right end of the slide groove 12 again by the cooperation of the cam pin 221 and the cam groove 215 when the cam driving gear 220 rotates clockwise. Is held in the state. Therefore, when the trunk open switch is turned on from this state, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the contact state between the second engagement portion 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 is released, and the trunk lid D Therefore, the foreign matter sandwiched between the vehicle body B and the trunk lid D can be removed.

  The retraction operation by the sliding movement of the lever shaft 211 described above is not only when the transition from the half latch state to the full latch state is restricted, but also when the transition from the full latch state to the latch side overstroke state is restricted. It is set to happen in the same way. That is, even when the transition to the latch-side overstroke state, which is a new second meshing state, is restricted after the full latch state, the actuator 201 is driven to move the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 to the slide groove 12 of the base plate 10. It is set to slide along. Accordingly, the foreign matter sandwiched between the vehicle main body B and the trunk lid D is relatively flexible or thin, and has shifted from the half latch state to the full latch state, but from the full latch state to the latch side overstroke state. Even when the transition is restricted, there is no possibility of damaging the gear train 240, the cam drive gear 220, and the output lever 210.

  By the way, when the actuator 201 breaks down and the release operation cannot be performed automatically, the meshing state can be manually released. That is, as shown in FIG. 15 as described above, by operating a key cylinder and an emergency lever (not shown), the open lever 130 swings counterclockwise via the respective wires W1 and W2, and the ratchet operation is performed. When the portion 132 comes into contact with the bent edge portion 113 of the ratchet operating portion 112 in the ratchet 110, the ratchet 110 swings clockwise around the ratchet shaft 101 against the elastic force of the return spring 103. As a result, the contact state between the engaging portions 123 and 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 is released, and the trunk lid D can be opened.

  At this time, depending on the drive position of the actuator 201, the latch pin 214 of the output lever 210 may come into contact with the latch operation portion 125 of the latch 120, and the engagement between the striker S and the latch 120 may not be released. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, by operating a key cylinder and an emergency lever (not shown) with a further stroke from the state of FIG. 15, the open lever 130 is further counterclockwise via the respective wires W1 and W2. The cancel lever operating portion 133 abuts on the cancel operation lever 234 of the cancel lever 230 by swinging around. Then, the cancel lever 230 swings clockwise about the cancel shaft 231 against the elastic force of the cancel spring 232. For this reason, the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 is released from the restriction of the support protrusion 233. Then, the latch pin 214 of the output lever 210 is pushed by the latch operation portion 125 of the latch 120 that is going to rotate in the unlatched state, and the lever shaft 211 of the output lever 210 resists the lever spring 212 and the slide groove 12 of the base plate 10. Slide toward the left end. As a result, the contact state between the engaging portions 123 and 124 of the latch 120 and the latch locking portion 111 is released, and the trunk lid D can be opened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the door latch device 1 provided between the vehicle body B and the trunk lid D is illustrated, but the present invention is similarly applied to a door latch device that holds other doors in a closed state. It is possible. In particular, it is suitable for a door without a door handle as in the embodiment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the door latch device 1 that performs the transition from the half latch state to the full latch state and the release of the full latch state by rotating the cam drive gear 220 in the same direction is illustrated. However, as long as the transition is made from the half latch state to the full latch state, the full latch state may not necessarily be canceled.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the striker S is provided on the vehicle main body B, while the door latch device 1 is provided on the door D. However, it may be provided in the reverse manner. Furthermore, by operating the latch 120 engaged with the striker S fixedly arranged on the vehicle main body B by driving the actuator 201, the striker S and the latch 120 are shifted from the first engagement state to the second engagement state. However, the door latch device may be configured to shift the striker and the latch from the first meshing state to the second meshing state by operating the striker that meshes with the latch provided on the vehicle body by driving the actuator. Absent.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the actuator 201 is driven when the half-latching state, which is the first meshing state, but the actuator 201 is not necessarily driven when the first meshing state is reached. There is no need. For example, the actuator is driven to effectively operate the output lever at an arbitrary time from when the latch is rotated by the striker to the first meshing state, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the half-latching state. It doesn't matter. That is, if the actuator is driven in the first meshing state, it is not always necessary to match the driving time of the actuator with the time when the first meshing state is reached.

It is the front view which showed the door latch apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle to which the door latch device shown in FIG. 1 is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the door latch control apparatus which is a control system of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state of a ratchet and a latch accompanying rotation of a cam drive gear. It is a flowchart which shows the cancellation | release operation | movement from meshing operation | movement. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement at the time of opening operation by an open lever. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when a trunk lid does not open even if a meshing state is cancelled | released. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when a door does not open even if a meshing state is cancelled | released by reverse rotation drive of an actuator. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of closing operation without the drive of an actuator. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the door latch apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Door latch apparatus 10 Base plate 11 Striker receiving groove 12 Slide groove 100 Latch mechanism part 101 Ratchet shaft 102 Latchet shaft 103 Return spring 104 Ratchet switch 105 Latch switch 106 Door opening / closing switch 107 Door opening / closing switch lever 110 Ratchet 111 Latch locking part 112 Ratchet operation Part 113 bent edge part 114 switch lever 120 latch 121 engagement groove 122 hook part 123 first engagement part 124 second engagement part 125 latch operation part 130 open lever 131 open lever shaft 132 ratchet operation part 133 cancel lever operation part 134 stopper Part 200 actuator driving mechanism part 201 actuator 210 output lever 211 lever shaft 212 lever spring 213 release lever part 2 14 Latch pin 215 Cam groove 220 Cam drive gear 221 Cam pin 230 Cancel lever 231 Cancel shaft 232 Cancel spring 233 Support protrusion 234 Cancel action lever 240 Gear train 250 Gear switch 300 Door latch control unit 301 Timing means

Claims (1)

The door can be opened by releasing the meshing state of the striker and the latch by the forward drive of the actuator, and the meshing operation for closing the door by bringing the striker and the latch to the meshing state by the forward rotation of the actuator. In the door latch control device that performs the release operation to
When there is an open door command during the meshing operation and the actuator is driven in reverse to release the meshing state between the striker and the latch, the door moves after the predetermined time has passed even though the meshing state has been cancelled. A door latch control device which stops driving of an actuator when it does not reach an open state.

Images